Tiger Woods

In a wide-ranging post on his website that included thoughts about those affected by recent hurricanes and the earthquake in Mexico City as well as congratulations to outgoing U.S. Masters Tournament chairman Billy Payne, Woods said he is sleeping better and no longer has nerve pain going down his leg.

"I'm starting to hit the ball a little further, 60-yard shots. I have not taken a full swing since my back fusion surgery last April, but continue to chip and putt every day," the 14-times major champion said.

The 14-time major champion has endured a tumultuous year mired by injury and a DUI arrest that prompted treatment for his use of prescription pain medication. But Woods is back in the news for a positive reason, announcing that the doctors allowed him to chip around greens.

Dr. gave me the ok to start pitching pic.twitter.com/tboq1L3Xdn

— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) August 31, 2017

ESPN, which cited a copy of the toxicology report, said Woods had Hydrocodone, the generic form of a painkiller branded as Vicodin; Hydromorphone, a painkiller known as Dilaudid; Alprazolam, a mood and sleep drug known as Xanax; Zolpidem, a sleep drug known as Ambien; and Delta-9 carboxy THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, in his system.

It is not known if Woods had prescriptions for all of the medications. Medical marijuana is legal in Florida.

A request made by Reuters to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office for a copy of the toxicology report was not returned.

Attorney Douglas Duncan said in an email Tuesday (Wednesday NZT) to The Associated Press that Woods will not be attending the hearing, but he didn't elaborate. Any plea other than not guilty requires the defendant's attendance.

The Palm Beach County State Attorney's Office declined comment.

Woods could have agreed Wednesday to enter a program for first-time DUI defendants. He would have to plead guilty to reckless driving and receive a year's probation.

Woods has not played in a professional event since February due to back trouble and was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence after he was found asleep at the wheel of his Mercedes on May 29 in Jupiter, Florida.

The 14-time major winner attributed his condition to an "unexpected reaction" to the mix of medications he was on following back surgery.

Woods said last month he was receiving professional help to manage his medications and issued a further update on Monday.

Day, who has developed a friendship with Woods off the course, said the American great reached out to him following a seven-over 79 during the first round at Erin Hills.

Woods is currently recovering from his latest back surgery and admitted he is receiving help for managing his prescription drugs after a DUI arrest last month.

"He texted me after I shot 79 and said, 'Hey, before you work on something call me because I saw something,'" Day said, via GolfChannel.com.

"I was like, yeah, you saw 79 shots. I didn't call him because I was so angry.

The former world number one golfer was found at the wheel of his Mercedes, in the right lane, and had to be woken by a police officer early on Monday.

Charged with Driving Under the Influence (DUI), Mr Woods blamed "an unexpected reaction to prescribed medication".

He maintains that alcohol was "not involved" in the incident.

"Woods had extremely slow and slurred speech," a copy of the police report published by US outlets said. He was "co-operative" but "confused".

According to a probable cause affidavit released on Tuesday, via the Golf Channel, Woods' black Mercedes was stopped in the roadway and the golfer "had to be woken up" by the police officer who came on the scene.

In a statement on Monday that followed reports of his arrest, the former world number one blamed the incident on an unexpected reaction to prescribed medications, adding: "I want the public to know that alcohol was not involved."

Woods, currently rehabbing from back surgery, provided a statement to media outlets. He said he did not realize the mix of medications "had affected me so strongly."

"I understand the severity of what I did and I take full responsibility for my actions," Woods said, according to reports.

Woods was arrested about 3 a.m. Monday, Jupiter police spokeswoman Kristin Rightler said. He was booked into a local jail and released on his own recognizance with no bond a few hours later, according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office's online records.

The 41-year-old said in a statement he had an operation to alleviate "ongoing pain in his back and leg".

"The surgery went well, and I'm optimistic this will relieve my back spasms and pain," the 14-time major winner announced on his official website.

"When healed, I look forward to getting back to a normal life, playing with my kids, competing in professional golf and living without the pain I have been battling so long."

Woods has not played competitively since withdrawing from the Dubai Desert Classic at the start of February due to back spasms.